A news flash interrupts a radio or television broadcast with a piece of breaking news. It’s a way to keep listeners updated on current events and can be local, national or international. They may be hard or soft news and can also include a weather forecast or an interview with an expert on the topic. A good newsflash starts with a compelling lead that accurately and enticingly conveys what the story is about. It should follow the inverted pyramid style by introducing the most important details first, followed by supporting information and a nut graph that ties all the facts together to show how they relate and add up to the bigger picture. It should also cite its sources and end with a forward-looking element to show how the topic will continue to affect people in the future.
It’s also important that a newsflash is concise. It should not last more than three minutes so it’s a challenge to cover all the necessary information without overstating things or sounding repetitive. Ideally, it should be a “show don’t tell” approach and include quotes from experts or witnesses to add credibility and perspective.
A newsflash is limited to six or 10 news items, so it’s a real challenge for anchors to tell the most important stories in the shortest amount of time possible. Often, they must skate over the details and only focus on major stories. That’s why it’s important that a newsflash uses a strong lead that captures the audience’s attention, follows the inverted pyramid style and cites its sources.
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